What we did

The Gannett Wisconsin Media review of charities tied to high-profile athletes and sports teams in Wisconsin began with finding them — a challenge since there is no comprehensive listing. We scoured IRS records, media coverage, state charity filings and an array of online resources to identify 51 charities. The listing includes only athletes who founded their own charity, not those who do charity work through larger, existing charities such as United Way. We then confirmed whether each group was listed by the IRS as a valid tax-exempt organization. Each of the nonprofits is required to file a version of Form 990, reporting revenue and other financial information to the IRS, so we reviewed recent filings and used the information to create a searchable database. (The database will be updated as the charities file new IRS returns and if additional athlete charities come to light.) We consulted two leading charity watchdogs — Charity Navigator and CharityWatch — about criteria for judging charities and used their methodologies to calculate financial and fundraising efficiency. In many cases we reached out to the athletes or their representatives to get context for the financial filings and details regarding their charity operations.

A slew of former Green Bay Packers have had their charities’ tax-exempt status revoked for failing to file returns with the IRS for three consecutive years.

Running back Dorsey Levens headlines the list with a pair of revoked organizations, one of which lost its status in 2010 and one in 2012. Joining him on the list are LeRoy Butler (2012), Antonio Freeman (2012), Jim Flanigan (2010) and Allen Rossum (2010). Butler and Freeman founded charities in 2009 and filed nothing with the IRS until 2012, though Butler has since filed back returns and is seeking to regain tax-exempt status.

Levens did not respond to interview requests submitted through a Packers spokesman.

Freeman said his charity is still running reading and financial literacy programs in Baltimore, Wisconsin and Miami, but he didn’t file annual returns with the IRS because he didn’t solicit any donations from the public. Freeman said the money comes from him and a Go Pink Wisconsin, a breast cancer charity based in Kenosha.

“If there’s no money (solicited), then you don’t have to file a return,” Freeman told Gannett Wisconsin Media. “We don’t pocket any money.”

In addition to the charity that was revoked in 2012, Butler has a foundation that is listed as active and tax-exempt despite failing to file a return since 2002. Experts say the foundation should have been revoked and appears to have fallen through the cracks at the IRS.

Butler now says he will no longer run his own charity since it turned out to be more work than he expected.

“Sometimes guys feel obligated to help the people who helped them and they try to start a foundation, but once they get into it and see the work that needs to be put in — as far as filing the 990s and talking to the CPAs — they ... don’t want anything to do with it,” he said.

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At least two other athletes — Packers lineman Ryan Pickett and former Bucks power forward Drew Gooden — claim on their websites to have tax-exempt charities, even though their nonprofit status hasn’t yet been approved. Representatives for both players said they have filed paperwork seeking nonprofit status, but neither is listed in an IRS directory of tax-exempt organizations.

Some athlete charities also fall short of state reporting requirements, including those run by Packers wide receiver James Jones, former Packer Gilbert Brown, Brewers bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel and Butler, according to the state Department of Financial Institutions. Foundations for the Milwaukee Wave and former Packer Greg Jennings were registered but let their registration lapse in 2012.

State statute allows exemptions for specialized charities and certain educational groups, but the athlete charities do not appear to fall in any of those categories. Statutes say organizations are not allowed to solicit funds in Wisconsin without registering annually with the state and filing a financial report.

Hanel said he was not aware he was required to file with the state in addition to the IRS and would look into the matter immediately. Jones, through a Packers spokesman, also said he was unaware and would look into it.

George Althoff, spokesman for the Department of Financial Institutions, said the agency is putting procedures in place to notify non-exempt charities they are required to register with the state. He noted his department only began overseeing charity regulation Nov. 1, taking over for another state agency.